Priest's pet project: Local Bonita church invites community and their pets to annual pet blessing ceremony

A.C. SHILTON

12:48 PM, Oct 5, 2011

Father George Curt takes a moment to bestow a blessing on Truffles, a three year old cockapoo. It was Truffles' first time to church with owner Dani Allegra. Truffles was one of over 40 dogs brought to Saturday's blessing ceremony, which welcomed animals of all shapes and sizes, along with photos of beloved critters and even stuffed animals. Anne Claire Shilton/ Banner Correspondent

Buddy, a wonder-mutt, looks up at Father George Curt as he blesses him. Owner Denis Wallace describes Buddy as a devout dog who says grace every night before digging into dinner. Anne Claire Shilton/ Banner Correspondent

Dogs listened intently to every word of the service, well, as long as their owners were scratching their ears. Anne Claire Shilton/ Banner Correspondent

Ruth Zider holds her dog Molly during the service, which included readings, hymns and the individual pet blessings. Anne Claire Shilton/ Banner Correspondent

Helen Mallon, a long time member of Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, with her Pekinese, Shorty. Anne Claire Shilton/ Banner Correspondent

BONITA SPRINGS - It was a scene of organized chaos last Saturday morning as creatures great and small gathered for St. Mary's Episcopal Church's annual blessing of the animals.

"This is a fun event," said Father George Curt, who presided over the blessing. "It's disorganized, it's loud, and it's fun."

And, as the minister dodged poodles, beagles and the occasional kitty, while trying to get the congregation seated and the service started, it certainly gave meaning to the phrase, "herding cats."

On the back patio of the church, where the ceremony took place, dozens of church members, church staff and community members gathered with their dogs, cats, fish and even a few stuffed animals.

The event itself is an annual affair, usually held around Saint Francis of Assisi's feast day, which is Oct. 4.

The patron saint of animals, Saint Francis lived in the early 1200's and is credited as the founder of the Franciscan Order.

While the order preached a life of poverty, it is Saint Francis' love and compassion toward animals and nature that earned him his title of patron saint of animals.

Twelve of the golden retrievers in attendance on Saturday seemed especially worthy of Saint Francis' blessings. These 12 dogs, brought to the service by the Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida, are currently in foster care and are in need of their own patron saints that can provide them with a permanent, loving home.

"This is the first year that we've brought them," said Alesia Mata, president of the rescue group. "We try and bring them out to events where they can get exposure and where we can let the community know that these dogs are available."

Across the patio, Chloe, an eight-year-old toy poodle and her own personal patron saint, Pat Kearns, arrived for the service.

Kearns adopted Chloe a few years ago, and she's been bringing her to the annual pet blessing ever since.

"It's a way to get us all together with other members of the family who are important to us," said Kerns. "It's also a nice event because it brings others besides our church members."

A blue plastic bucket sat on a table near the keyboard, which was used to play the very fitting hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful. Inside the bucket, three fat and happy goldfish lounged.

"This is the third year they've been blessed," said Naomi Stanley, who credits her .25-cent-pet-store-special fish's unusual longevity to the annual blessings.

As the service went on, a tiny terrier sniffed the nose of a pony-sized Great Dane, while a Labrador rolled over in hopes of receiving a belly rub, and a cat timidly peaked out from the safety of its carrier. Amid all the commotion, Father George Curt carried on the service, reading passages from Matthew 11:25-30 and Genesis 1:20-25.

"And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind. And it was so,'" read Curt between outbursts from a very vocal golden retriever.

But for local resident Julie Goff, it was worth sitting through the chaos to have her Boston terrier Quincy blessed.

"We get blessed all the time, so why not her?" said Goff. "She blesses us every single day."